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Farmer City demolition uncovers century-old advertisement
By Steve Hoffman
pantregnews@gmail.com
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FARMER CITY — As one piece of history tumbled down in Farmer City, another was revealed.

After the dust cleared from the Sept. 25 demolition of 211 S. Main St., a cigar advertisement appeared on an adjacent structure after more than 100 years.

Reading “W.O.D. Cigars For Sale Here,” the white lettering on a black background was likely painted on the wall of 213 S. Main St. when it was a drug store. Three different druggists inhabited the building from 1870 into the 1880s. The building later housed the Kendall Theatre, which was a hub of downtown activity in the 1930s, ’40s and into the 1950s.

The area where 211 S. Main stood was only an alley at that point, but a clothing store (Bach and Kincaid) went up around 1890.

That means the W.O.D. cigar ad was covered up around that time, and remained behind a wall for at least 117 years.

Research has failed to show just what company W.O.D. was, but local historian Jim Tobin has an opinion on who painted the sign.

“George DeBolt used to paint a lot of those. He was the man in this area,” said Tobin.

Other examples

There are other pieces of Farmer City’s past throughout downtown, if you know where to look. The Journal has not been housed at 102 N. Main St since 1952, but the sign painted on the north side of the downtown structure is still there for all to see.

The Commercial Hotel operated until 1957, but the structure still adorned a lot near the downtown square until torn down in the 1990s. But if you look at the corner of 116 S. Main St., you can still see part of a brick arch that was part of the ornate entrance of the local establishment.

There’s even an old elevator in the Hair Boutique at 304 N. Main St., a vestige of the old Hornsby’s Department store.

K&S Furniture still has a night depository, reminding customers that 202 S. Main St. housed many financial institutions, including the First National Bank (1874-94), The Old First National Bank (1894-1930), the Farmer City Currency Exchange (1930-41) and the Farmer City State Bank (1941-1971).

“I keep waiting for someone to put something in it, but nothing yet,” joked Teri Emmerson of K&S.

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Reader comments on this story - 7 total

Note: All views and opinions expressed in reader comments are solely those of the individual submitting the comment, and not those of the Pantagraph or its staff.

It is Cool wrote on Oct 15, 2007 12:15 PM:

" I saw the advertisement last week and it is a great piece of history. Congratulations Farmer City! "

COUNTRY BOY wrote on Oct 15, 2007 11:51 AM:

" Carlton will surely buy it and brag about the price on every post! "

Maybe the fairboard.. wrote on Oct 15, 2007 8:30 AM:

" could buy the lot and hold that as ransom as well. "

Just Wondering wrote on Oct 15, 2007 7:56 AM:

" Any plans to build on this site? Mabey another antique store? Mabey just leave an empty lot? Anyone know anything about this? "

Please keep these........ wrote on Oct 15, 2007 4:31 AM:

" historical pieces of art in place. PLEASE don't destroy them. They are a part of many of us who remember the buildings so well. Although, I grew up in LeRoy, we went to Farmer City a lot. I remember many places that are apparently gone now. To us 'older folks' (I'm almost 59), these things mean a lot. One day I hope to get back to Farmer City and would like to see some things of the past. I've known Terri Emerson all of my life (she's the same age as my brother) and we bought our first wall-to-wall carpet from her father, Junior. Jim Tobin's wife has known me all of my life and I know Jim knows what he's talking about. GREAT people. Hello to all of you from Patty from LeRoy, but living in OK now. MISS YA! "

W.O.D. Cigars For Sale Here wrote on Oct 15, 2007 3:41 AM:

" Good thing it did not say W.M.D. Cigars For Sale Here. "

FYI wrote on Oct 15, 2007 2:27 AM:

" Google Results 1 - 10 of about 2,190,000 for nascar raceway track owners. Thats Two Million one hundred ninety thousand. "
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